What does malware refer to?

Malware refers specifically to malicious software that is designed to harm, exploit, or otherwise compromise systems and data. This category of software includes viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware, among others. Malware can disrupt operations, steal sensitive information, damage files, and create backdoors for unauthorized users. Understanding malware is crucial for cybersecurity because it highlights the need for protective measures, such as antivirus programs and firewalls, to defend against these threats.

The other options do not accurately describe malware. Protective software aims to defend systems from threats rather than being harmful. Benign software applications are those that function without causing harm or posing a threat to the user. Programs designed for data analysis, while useful in their domain, do not fit the definition of malware as they are not intended to compromise system integrity or security.